Signal device for trains.



D. & C. L. DEBOLT.

SIGNAL DEVICE FOR TRAINS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9. I917.

Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

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DAVID DEBOLT AND CHARLES L. DEBOLT, F DES MOINES, IOWA.

SIGNAL nnvren Eon TRAINS.

Specification of LettersPatcnt. v Patented J an. 14, 1919.

Application filed May 9, 1917. Seria1No. 167,617.

. l a specification.

The object of our invention is to provide a signal device for trains of simple, durable and inexpensive construction.

A further object is to provide an elec- L trically operated signal device adapted to be automatically actuated when the train approaches a crossing for closing a circuit through an electric lamp placed adjacent to a transparent sign, having suitable indicating characters as for instance, the words Danger. Stop.

A further object is to provide a signal device having means so arranged that the circuit will be automatically broken as soon as the same has passed, so that there will be no waste of current.

Our invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in our claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a section of a railroad track equipped with a signal device embodying our invention.

Fig. 2 shows a top or plan view of the actuating mechanism of our-device.

Fig. 3 shows a vertical, transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 shows a top or plan view of one of the contact points.

In the illustration of our invention shown in the accompanying drawings, we have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generallv the ties of a railroad track having the rails 11.

Pivoted to one of the rails 11 on the outside thereof is a depressible arm 12, one end of which is rotatably mounted on the bolt 13, secured preferably to the rail. Suitably secured on the outer side of the depressible arm 12, is a suitable guide device 14 for holding the arm 12 in position where its movement is substantially vertical. The arm 12 is provided on its under side with a suitable opening 15.

Mounted on one of the tics 10 below the opening 15 is a base 16 having an upwardly extending member 17 preferably circular in cross section. The member 17 extends into the opening 15 in the arm 12. The member 17 is provided with a vertically elongated, transverse slot 18, extending through the member 17 from side to side.

Mounted on the member 17 between the base 16 and the arm 12 is an expansible coil 7 sprin 19. 7

Extended through the walls of the arm 12 and across the opening 15 therein, and through the slot 18 in the member 17, is a transverse. bolt 20 which limits the up and down movement of the arm 12.

The arm 12 is yieldingly held at the upper limit ofits movement by the spring 19. The arm 12 is preferably made of non-conductive material.

On the under surface of the free end of the arm 12 is a contact point 21. Below the contact point 21 and considerably spaced therefrom is a suitable support 22. in which is a vertical opening 23, extending downwardly from the upper surface of the support 22 and receiving an upright member 24 which has at its upper end a contact point head 25.

Between the contact point head 25 and the support 22 is a coil spring 26 mounted on the upright member 24.

Arranged at any suitable point is a source of electrical energy such for instance as the battery 27, one pole of which is connected by a wire 28 with the contact head 25.

Alongside the railroad track is an upright member 29 having on its upper end a laterally extending arm 30 substantially parallel with the railroad track and supporting a casing 31 having trari'sparent glass walls 32, on which are indicating characters 33 preferably spelling the words Danger and Stop.

Within the casing 31 is an electric lamp 34 which is connected by a wire 35 with the source of electrical energy 27 and by another wire 36 with the contact point 21.

In the practical operation of our improved signal device, the parts are assembled and installed as hereinbefore described. It will be understood that the upright member 29 carrying the signal arm device 36 is located near a crossing or other danger point.

The depressible arm 12 may be located down the track at any suitable distance from the upright 29. Normally the arm 12 is held upwardly so as to hold the contact point 21 away from the contact 25 by means of the spring 19, on the upright member 17 The upper edge or surface of the arm 12 is curved from its central portion downwardly and toward its ends in both directions. The central upper portion of, the arm 12 for a considerable distance of its length projects upwardly above the level of the adjacent rail .11. M It is well known that the tread portions of railroad car wheels project beyond the rails and the arms 12 and close enough to the rails so that the tread of the wheels will depress the arm 12 as the cars pass over the rails adjacent to the arm 12 forcing the free end of the arm 12 downwardly and causing the contact point 21 to engage the contact head 25. The upright member 24: and the contact point 25 are soarranged that the member 25 may be depressed considerably below its normal position without its being in any way injured or seriously affected.

If the position of the arm 12 should happen to vary somewhat on account of the subjection to blows from the cars of trains, the contact'ooint 25 will not be in any way affected. 7

It is obvious that when the contact points 21 and 25 are moved together, a circuit will be closed through the lamp 34 whereby the casing 31 will be illuminated and the words Danger and Stop will be clearly seen from the person approaching the railroad from any direction. 7

The light is automatically thrown in circuit by the approaching train and the circuit will be held closed as long as the car wheels are passing over the arm 12, but as soon as the train has passed the signal device, the spring 19 will automatically raise the arm 12 thereby breaking the circuit and preventing any waste of electrical energy.

Our device is of" extremely simple construction. Is not likely to get out of order and throws the light on suddenly as the train approaches. v

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the various parts of our improved signal device and it is our intention to cover by our present application any such modifications or changes inthe structure thereof, as may be reasonably included within the scope of our claim.

We claim as our invention:

In a device of the class described, a depressible arm adapted to have one end pivoted to the outer side of a rail of a railroad track, the upper edge of said arm being curved from its central portion downwardly toward its ends in both directions, said arm having an opening in its under surface, an upright member suitably supported and slidably extended into said opening, said'upright member being provided with a vertically elongated slot extending through it, a bolt extended through the walls of said arm and through the opening in said arm and through the elongated 3 in said upright member, a spring on said upright member below said arm adapted to normally hold said arm in position with its central upper edge projecting above the level of the adjacent rail, a contact point on the free end of said arm, a contact point vertically slidable and arranged below said first contact point and a yielding device for normally holding the second contact point at the upper limit of its movement.

Des Moines, Iowa, July 27, 1916.

DAVID DEBOLT. 7 CHARLES L. DEBOLT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained tor five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Weahinetaa, D. G." 

